Dual sliding wedge T-nut

• US 10,054,149 B2
• Filed: 12/08/2015
• Issued: 08/21/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: John R. Hoogstrate
• Original Assignee: Jonix LLC
• Inventors: Hoogstrate, John R., Paige, Nicholas
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson, Lee D
• Application Number:
  US14/962,755
• Publication Number:
  US 20170159697A1
• Time in Patent Office: 987 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 1/28 Means for securing sliding members in any desired position
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 1/42 using T-, V-, dovetail-section or like guides B23Q1/40 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 3/102 for fixing elements in slots
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2/14 using wedges
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 37/045 specially adapted for fastening in channels, e.g. sliding bolts, channel nuts

Abstract

A T-Nut for use in a machine tool having a tooling plate with an inverted T-shaped channel. The T-Nut comprises a central body having oppositely inclined faces each including an opening forming a cavity extending through the central body, and first and second wedges in slideable communication with the central body inclined faces. Each of the wedges have wings extending laterally beyond the central body to engage upper surfaces of the channel lower wide portion and include a clearance hole extending through a length of the wedge. A rotatable actuation member abuts the first wedge at an end opposite the first wedge mating surface and is internally threaded for a distance from one end thereof. An externally threaded cylindrical shaft is engaged with the internal threads of the actuation member and extends through the first and second wedge clearance holes, the shaft being secured to and non-rotatable with the second wedge. In operation, when tooling is secured to the top surface of the central body and the actuation member is rotated, the first and second wedges are slideably moved symmetrically along the central body inclined faces until the first and second wedge wings engage upper surfaces of the channel lower wide portion while the tooling is simultaneously urged in the direction of the tooling plate until the tooling mounting surface bears against the tooling plate top surface, thereby removably securing the tooling to the tooling plate.

Claims

1. A mounting member for use in a machine tool having a tooling plate with a top surface and an open channel with at least one perpendicular extension below the tooling plate top surface, the mounting member comprising:

a central body having at least one inclined face at a first end and an opening forming a cavity extending through the central body, the central body adapted to slidingly fit in the tooling plate open channel and mate with a mounting surface of tooling to be secured to the tooling plate;

a first wedge in slideable communication with the central body inclined face and having a top surface and a mating surface at one end inclined at substantially the same angle as the central body inclined face, the first wedge including a clearance hole extending through a length of the wedge and at least one wing extending laterally beyond the central body to engage an upper surface of the tooling plate open channel at least one perpendicular extension;

an actuation member internally threaded for a distance from one end thereof, the actuation member abutting the first wedge at an end opposite the first wedge mating surface; and

an externally threaded shaft engaged with the internal threads of the actuation member and extending through the first wedge clearance hole and through the central body cavity, the shaft being secured to and non-rotatable with the central body,

whereby when the tooling is secured to a top surface of the central body and the actuation member is rotated, the first wedge is slideably moved along the central body inclined face until the first wedge at least one wing engages an upper surface of the open channel at least one perpendicular extension and the work piece is urged in the direction of the tooling plate until the tooling mounting surface bears against the tooling plate top surface, thereby removably securing the tooling to the tooling plate.

2. The mounting member of claim 1 wherein the tooling plate open channel comprises an inverted T-shaped channel having a lower wide portion and an upper narrow portion, and the first wedge further comprises a second wing opposite the first wing and extending laterally beyond the central body, the first and second wings positioned to engage upper surfaces of the channel lower wide portion.

3. The mounting member of claim 1 wherein the central body further comprises a second oppositely inclined face at a second end, and the mounting member further comprises a second wedge in slideable communication with the central body second inclined face having a top surface and a mating surface at one end inclined at substantially the same angle as the central body second inclined face and at least one wing extending laterally beyond the central body to engage an upper surface of the tooling plate open channel at least one perpendicular extension, the second wedge including a clearance hole extending through a length of the wedge wherein the shaft extends through the second wedge clearance hole, the shaft being secured to and non-rotatable with the second wedge,

whereby when the tooling is secured to the central body top surface and the actuation member is rotated, the first and second wedges are slideably moved symmetrically along the central body inclined surfaces until the first and second wedge at least one wing engages an upper surface of the open channel at least one perpendicular extension and the tooling is urged in the direction of the tooling plate until the tooling mounting surface bears against the tooling plate top surface, thereby removably securing the tooling to the tooling plate.

4. The mounting member of claim 3 wherein the tooling plate open channel comprises an inverted T-shaped channel having a lower wide portion and an upper narrow portion, and the first and second wedges further comprise a second wing opposite the first wing and extending laterally beyond the central body, the first and second wings positioned to engage upper surfaces of the channel lower wide portion when the actuation member is rotated.

5. The mounting member of claim 3 wherein the second wedge and the shaft each include a cross-drilled through hole having substantially the same diameter, and wherein the through holes are aligned when the shaft extends through the second wedge clearance hole, the shaft secured to the second wedge using a resilient fastener extending through the aligned through holes.

6. The mounting member of claim 1 wherein the actuation member includes an opening with a hexagonal engagement on the opposite end, the hexagonal engagement adapted for receiving an actuating force applied in a rotational direction about a longitudinal axis of the actuation member.

7. The mounting member of claim 1 wherein the central body includes a threaded stud attached to or integral with the central body top surface, the threaded stud capable of mating with an internally threaded opening in a mounting surface of tooling to be secured to the tooling plate.

8. The mounting member of claim 7 wherein the tooling to be secured to the tooling plate is a Fast Tool Servo (FTS) having an internally threaded opening on a bottom mounting face and wherein the central body threaded stud is engaged with the FTS internally threaded opening to secure the FTS to the mounting member.

9. The mounting member of claim 1 wherein the central body has a bottom surface including at least one opening having a predetermined depth.

10. The mounting member of claim 1 wherein when the central body is slidingly fit in the tooling plate open channel and the actuation member is rotated, neither the central body top surface nor the first wedge top surface extends beyond the tooling plate top surface when the mounting member is secured in the tooling plate open channel.

11. The mounting member of claim 3 wherein when the central body is slidingly fit in the tooling plate T-shaped channel and the actuation member is rotated, neither the central body top surface nor the first and second wedge top surfaces extend beyond the tooling plate top surface when the mounting member is secured in the tooling plate T-shaped channel.

18. A method for removably securing tooling to a holding surface of a tooling plate having an open channel with at least one perpendicular extension below the tooling plate holding surface, comprising:

providing the mounting member of claim 1;

securing the mounting surface of the tooling to the mounting member central body top surface;

slideably inserting the mounting member into the tooling plate open channel to a desired position; and

rotating the actuation member such that the mounting member first wedge is slideably moved along the central body inclined surface until the first wedge at least one wing engages an upper surface of the channel at least one perpendicular extension and the tooling is urged in the direction of the tooling plate until the tooling mounting surface bears against the tooling plate top surface.

19. The method of claim 18 further including the steps of:

rotating the actuation member in an opposite direction such that the first wedge is slideably moved along the central body inclined surface until the first wedge at least one wing no longer engages the upper surface of the channel at least one perpendicular extension; and

removing the mounting member from the tooling plate open channel.

12. A T-Nut for use in a machine tool having a tooling plate with a top surface and an inverted T-shaped channel having a lower wide portion and an upper narrow portion, the T-Nut comprising:

a central body having oppositely inclined faces, each face including an opening forming a cavity extending through the central body, the central body adapted to slidingly fit in the tooling plate T-shaped channel and mate with a mounting surface of tooling to be secured to the tooling plate;

first and second wedges in slideable communication with the central body inclined faces and having mating surfaces inclined at substantially the same angle as the central body inclined faces and wings extending laterally beyond the central body to engage upper surfaces of the channel lower wide portion, each of the wedges including a clearance hole extending through a length of the wedge, the second wedge further including a cross-drilled through hole extending through its width;

an actuation member abutting the first wedge at an end opposite the first wedge mating surface and internally threaded for a distance from one end thereof and having an opening with a hexagonal engagement on the other end, the hexagonal engagement adapted for receiving an actuating force in a rotational direction about a longitudinal axis of the actuation member;

an externally threaded shaft engaged with the internal threads of the actuation member and extending through the first and second wedge clearance holes, the shaft having a cross-drilled hole on one end having substantially the same diameter as the second wedge through-hole, the shaft being secured to and non-rotatable with the second wedge; and

a resilient fastener extending through the second wedge through-hole and through the shaft cross-drilled hole to secure the second wedge to the shaft,

whereby when the tooling is secured to a top surface of the central body and an actuating force is applied to the actuation member hexagonal engagement, the first and second wedges are slideably moved symmetrically along the central body inclined faces until the first and second wedge wings engage upper surfaces of the channel lower wide portion and the tooling is urged in the direction of the tooling plate until the tooling mounting surface bears against the tooling plate top surface, thereby removably securing the tooling to the tooling plate.

13. The T-Nut of claim 12 wherein the central body includes a threaded stud attached to or integral with the central body top surface, the threaded stud capable of mating with an internally threaded opening in amounting surface of tooling to be secured to the tooling plate.

14. The T-Nut of claim 13 wherein the tooling to be secured to the tooling plate is a Fast Tool Servo (FTS) having an internally threaded opening on a bottom mounting face and wherein the central body threaded stud is engaged with the FTS internally threaded opening to secure the FTS to the T-Nut.

15. The T-Nut of claim 12 wherein the shaft has a tapering diameter in the direction of its center.

16. The T-Nut of claim 12 wherein the central body has a bottom surface including at least one opening having a predetermined depth.

17. The T-Nut of claim 12 wherein when the central body is slidingly fit in the tooling plate T-shaped channel and the actuation member is rotated, neither the central body top surface nor the first and second wedge top surfaces extend beyond the tooling plate top surface when the T-Nut is secured in the tooling plate T-shaped channel.

20. A method of assembling a T-Nut for use in a machine tool having a tooling plate with a top surface and an inverted T-shaped channel having a lower wide portion and an upper narrow portion, comprising:

providing a central body having oppositely inclined faces, each face including an opening forming a cavity extending through the central body, the central body adapted to slidingly fit in the tooling plate T-shaped channel and mate with a mounting surface of tooling to be secured to the tooling plate;

providing first and second wedges capable of slideable communication with the central body inclined faces and having mating surfaces inclined at substantially the same angle as the central body inclined faces and wings extending laterally beyond the central body to engage upper surfaces of the channel lower wide portion, each of the wedges including a clearance hole extending through a length of the wedge, the second wedge further including a cross-drilled through hole extending through its width;

providing an actuation member internally threaded for a distance from one end thereof, the actuation member adapted for receiving an actuating force in a rotational direction about a longitudinal axis of the actuation member;

providing an externally threaded shaft having a tapering diameter in the direction of its center and a cross-drilled hole on one end having substantially the same diameter as the second wedge through-hole;

slideably inserting the threaded shaft through the second wedge clearance hole while aligning the second wedge and threaded shaft cross-drilled through holes;

inserting a resilient fastener through the second wedge through-hole and through the shaft cross-drilled hole to non-rotatably secure the second wedge to the threaded shaft;

sliding the central body over an end of the threaded shaft by inserting the threaded shaft through the central body cavity until one of the central body inclined faces contacts the second wedge mating surface;

sliding the first wedge over the end of the threaded shaft by inserting the threaded shaft through the first wedge clearance hole until the first wedge mating surface contacts the opposing central body inclined face; and

threading the actuation member internally threaded end onto the end of the threaded shaft.